by Travis Partington | Dec 1, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
What did I think of the North Korea Defector? Lots of questions have been asked about the North Korean Defector who made his way to South Korea. After reading about his condition when they examined the soldier, I believe that winning a military conflict would not be a problem. However, the soldier’s condition would lead me believe that any kind of military strike would result in a humanitarian crises that would be historic. It is possible that given time, the North Korean government will collapse on itself
The Word
Johnny Bobbit Jr. working as a flight paramedic before he was homeless.
Just wanted give a big shout out to Marine Veteran Johnny Bobbit Jr. He is not related to John W. Bobbit of more infamous notoriety.
It was cool to see this story take shape around Thanksgiving. Kate McClure ran out of gas, and Johnny Bobbit Jr. used his last $20.00 to fuel up her car.
What happened next was nothing sort of amazing. Kate McClure was so moved by this gesture that she started a Go Fund Me Page for Johnny (https://www.gofundme.com/hvv4r-paying-it-forward). All she wanted to do is give him a hand up to get restarted in life. Kate had a goal of $10,000.00, and as of this writing there is over $370,000.00!
According to an ABC News Story (http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/homeless-veteran-received-360k-now-pay-forward-thing/story?id=51377241) all Johnny wants is a place to live and a used truck. He wants to give back to other Veterans who are less fortunate than him. This Marine gets a big Semper Fi!
The Complaint Department
T
he Complaint Department had a beef with pre-96 safety briefs that took place across military installations. Officers and Staff NCOs drone on about being careful. Well they have had enough of being treated like kids…… I pointed out that sometimes we act like kids….
Upcoming Events
Putting a big shout out for Just Checking In Facebook Page – They are putting on Operation Wreaths for Veterans this year. Just Checking In will put wreaths on Veteran’s Tombstones in Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA. This event will take place Friday, December 8, 2017 9 AM.
Just Checking In Twitter Page
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by Travis Partington | Nov 17, 2017 | Podcast
Jack (L) and Brian (R) talking about Veterans
November 8th, I was invited to come on the radio show South Shore News and Views on WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA. SSN&V is hosted by Jack White, Bob Wisgirda, and Murray Vetstein. They had me on last year to do Oscar Mike Radio “Live” and it was an honor to be invited to come back on the show.
Joining me this was U.S. Navy Veteran Brian Hoffman. Brian served during the Vietnam war and had lived the post Vietnam experience. Currently is the Director for Corporate Relations for the The Children’s Museum in Easton (The Childrens Museum in Easton). It is always a pleasure to get to talk with another Veteran. Murray served in the U.S. Navy as well so this Marine felt right at home.
I learn a lot listening to older Veterans. Especially Vietnam Veterans who had a much different homecoming experience than Veterans do now. I feel it is important to get that perspective. Brian and Murray shared their views on the draft which were like mine.
Teamsters Local 653
Brian Hoffman had Brian McElhinney, Principal Office for Teamsters Local 653, (Teamsters Local 653 Website) call into to the show. We talked about how the Teamsters support Veterans hiring and other community outreach projects. So many times Unions seem to get nothing but negative press, so it was good to hear that a Veteran in Massachusetts could go to the Union after the military to look for work.
Brian Hoffman also thanked Brian McElhinney for the Teamsters support of Toys for Troops and the Children’s Museum in Easton. In both cases Teamsters Local 653 went above and beyond to help out with both efforts. It was good getting to learn about this.
Tim and Legend, Client Eastwood
In the second hour, Tim Montjoy from Operation Teammate called in to talk to us. Operation Teammate provides outings for children of military and first responders who are deployed. This allows Operation Teammate to craft events that provide mentorship opportunities to the children that attend these outings. Tim also talked about how the athletes are moved by the opportunity to show these children what hard work and dedication to education and sport can do for their future. To find out more, got to http://www.operationteammate.org/
This was my second year doing this with WVBF AM 1530 – South Shore New and Views. I love radio, and getting to be on with Jack, Bob, and Murray is a treat. South Shore News is one of many programs on WVBF AM 1530. You can get the complete list of shows and more information on http://www.hometowntalkradio.com/
See you all next year!
The oldest & second oldest interns in the world!
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by Travis Partington | Nov 4, 2017 | Podcast
From the AMVETS Post 61 Website
This week I had the pleasure of talking with Bill Adkins who is the 1st Vice Commander for the Department of Kentucky and the Commander for AMVETs Post 61. Tracy Hays is a Past Department President as well as a Past Local President. Her current role is serving as the National Executive Committee Woman for the Department of Kentucky and the Americanism Chairperson for Auxiliary 61. I felt like I was going to learn a lot about AMVETS and how Post 61 keeps the mission going in Louisville, KY. Bill and Tracy were great at getting me up to speed with what AMVETS does.
There are many veterans organizations out there. Most have strict rules about who can join and how they advocate for Veterans. For instance, someone in the Army cannot join the Marine Corps League, and I can’t join a VFW because I am not a combat veteran. Each organization is different in who they let join and what their mission scope is. This means that sometimes people who want to advocate or socialize in certain Veterans’ circles cannot.
This is where I learned that AMVETs is different. They have Auxiliary Units like the Ladies Auxiliary, AMVETS Riders and Sons of AMVETS as a way for family members and non military to get involved. AMVETS will work with state and local Veterans representatives or with Veterans directly.
It is also important to note that with over 250,000 dues paying members, AMVETS is one of the single largest Veterans Advocacy Organizations in the U.S. AMVETS leadership can be found testifying on Capital Hill on many different issues that affect Veterans. So if you want to get involved, you will be welcomed.
Go to http://amvets.org/ to find out more. I want to thank Bill and Tracy for their time, and can’t wait to have them back on to find out what else they are doing .
You can find Post 61 on their website – http://www.amvets61.com/.
The address is 9405 Smyrna Pkwy. Louisville, KY 40299
Phone: (502) 968-2161
Tracy asked me to post the following events for AMVETS Post 61
November 5th
Craft Show
Location: AMVETS Post 61
Time: 12-4 PM
All proceeds benefit the AMVETS Post 61 Scholarship Fund
November 11th
Annual Veterans Day Dinner
Location: AMVETS Post 61
Time: 5:30 – Program starts at 6:30 PM
Proceeds will go towards the Kentucky Veterans Trust Fund Homeless Veterans Program
ONGOING EVENTS
Dress for Success in which AMVETS collects gently used business or business casual clothing for the VA Medical Center in Lexington KY. They help homeless veterans with resumes, job skills, job interview coaching, etc, but they are in need of clothing for those veterans (men and women) to wear for their job interviews. They also need undergarments, socks, and shoes as well as coats, hats, and gloves this time of year. Anyone in the Louisville area, can email auxiliarypres@hotmail.com for more information.
AMVETS Post 61 is collecting unserviceable American Flags for proper retirement in a ceremony held in July. We have a drop box outside the post so anyone can bring them by anytime.
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by Travis Partington | Oct 27, 2017 | Podcast
I talk this week about getting to MCRD San Diego and my first 48 hours there. It was my first real taste of sleep deprivation and that feeling of what – in – the – world was I thinkin about when I decided to do this.
When I think about it, boot camp was a small part of my life, but there are some parts that still stick out in my mind.
Whether it was trying to do a column left, or eat it now and taste it later, it was game changer for my life and now the fun truly begins.
The fun is starting in other ways with this podcast so look out! Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone, Travis
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by Travis Partington | Oct 13, 2017 | Podcast
More than man’s best friend
Toasty and I were in my truck talking when we did this podcast. We are Marines, so being mobile is all part of our game. Whether it is fighting, podcasting, or having a good time, we can do it all anywhere 24x7x365.
I would like give a little background story before diving into this week’s episode.
Toasty and I are close and have known each other for over 20 years. I spent a lot of time worrying about him while he was overseas. He is one of the original members of the Rollin HOTT crew, and that is how he got his nickname.
Toasty had problems when he came back, and it was at a time when help for Veterans was not what is now. There were daily struggles, and it was hard watching my friend, my brother, and muse seem like someone else.
This all changed when the process began for him to get a support dog. Toasty’s wife, “The Queen” saw this program and decided that it couldn’t hurt to see what this was all about. America’s Vet Dogs (Info below) handles the training and onboarding of dogs for Veterans with PTSD.
I met Boomer a year ago, and was dumbstruck at the change in my friend. Toasty was engaging, and happy to go out and enjoy life again. No longer was he apprehensive around people because Boomer allowed Toasty to interact with others around him easily. It is like a gift that never stops giving. Much like the Justice for Huey crew that I talked with earlier this year, these dogs work wonders for our Veterans.
Toasty wants any Veteran or family member of a Veteran to know that if you need help it is out there with organizations like America’s Vet Dogs. He doesn’t want you to suffer in silence. I appreciated his willingness to come on Oscar Mike Radio. He talked candidly about his journey and how this changed his family. A big shout out and thanks to “The Queen” for taking care of Toasty and all of us. If you want to find out more information about America’s Vet Dogs see below. OMR sends…..
America’s VetDogs Website
America’s VetDogs
371 East Jericho Turnpike,
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
1-631-930-9000
(Toll-free in the U.S.) 1-800-548-4337
Who knows what adventures are next for these two? 😉
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